The Steelers used a rare contract tool on Aaron Rodgers, raising concerns that he is exploring options elsewhere

NFL clubs have been told by the NFL that the Pittsburgh Steelers have tendered first refusal on Aaron Rodgers and that, although he is free to sign with any club, the team now has the right to match any offer it receives from another team.

The first refusal tender also means that Rodgers can receive a 10% raise from last year’s salary of $13.65 million which means he could make about $15 million with the team this season.

Also: The tender means the Steelers will get the exclusive right to sign Rodgers if he doesn’t sign elsewhere before July 22 or the scheduled first day of training camp, whichever comes first.

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And what does all this really mean?

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• This means the Steelers are using a rare tender term to ensure that Rodgers will play for them or no one else in 2026 without receiving something in return.
• It means that the Steelers officially made their first contract for Rodgers with a 10% increase over last year.
• It means that if Rodgers decides not to sign with Pittsburgh. and instead of waiting to sign with another team during the season, the other team will have to trade Rodgers. The Steelers will also receive draft compensation if Rodgers signs with the team before July and declines to match.

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Ultimately, this means the Steelers are taking a more formal and business-like approach to dealing with their starters than the kind and seemingly familiar approach that has taken place over the past 16 months — with coach Mike McCarthy talking to the quarterback regularly, following the same approach Mike Tomlin used last year to acquire Rodgers.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts on the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 26, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)

One more thing: This suggests that the Steelers may be concerned that Rodgers is considering a move to another team sometimes and they put in place measures to prevent that from happening or to get compensation if it does.

So, yes, it is dangerous.

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The last part, of course, is speculation because neither Rodgers nor the Steelers have disclosed the details of their negotiations. And Rodgers hasn’t said whether he sees a move to another team, either now or during the season.

But there’s no denying that May is coming and he hasn’t signed with the Steelers yet.

Everyone in the Pittsburgh organization with a voice — owner Art Rooney II, general manager Omar Khan in particular — said they expect Rodgers’ decision to come sooner this year than last year. Last year, Rodgers didn’t sign with the Steelers until June, just in time for mandatory minimum camp.

Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after the NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 4, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

So, has Rodgers ever hinted or told the Steelers that he will wait to sign more, later? As in after the start of the season? Injuries sometimes occur during training camp and the regular season, so maybe Rodgers has a timetable that fits that possibility.

The idea that Rodgers might be considering another club is surprising because no other club has as much cap space as the Steelers do right now.

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Pittsburgh is a playoff-caliber club with a veteran coach familiar to Rodgers running a system Rodgers knows. The Steelers also held Rodgers’ first opener.

No other NFL club can offer that power.

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But Rodgers, who isn’t a fan of off-season workouts when he can be on vacation and enjoying his family, may have decided that the time to start working out is after the season.

That would be a huge blow to the Steelers.

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